H.O.R.S.E.

Winter break was in full swing. Max basically lived at Mike's house for the first couple of days, playing–more like watching the boys play–dungeons and dragons, watching movies, or whatever indoor activities they could think of. It was too cold out now to ride their bikes around town, but they managed their way to the arcade whenever they could. Still, she had fun with her friends.

Billy, on the other hand, was stuck in the house. Ever since Sunday rolled around after the Snowball, his punishment was official. Since he was on break, he couldn't use his car, couldn't even look at it let alone be in the same room as it without incurring Neil's wrath. The only time he could leave the house was when he had to take Max somewhere or pick her up. And if he already wasn't annoyed by that, he was more annoyed having to take the bus in the cold, and he hated doing it so much. In fact, he had to take the bus if he wanted to go anywhere. No way he'd walk. To add insult to injury, Neil even gave Billy a 9 o'clock curfew so he wouldn't miss the buses. Of course, Billy wanted to protest for having such an early curfew, but one daggering look from his father shut his mouth. Now, he was just counting down the days until the break was over so he could get his car back and be as far away from that house as possible. That is, if he was on "good behavior".

One day, during dinner, while everyone ate in silence Max couldn't help but notice the way Neil kept looking up at Billy. It was like the expression on his face was a question–one he'd silently asked and was just waiting for a response. Billy never looked up at him–actually, it was like he had checked out completely. Eating slowly enough not to earn a remark, but it was slightly robotic, carefully constructed, and almost inhuman.

Neil seemed to realize that Billy wouldn't look up on his own; he cleared his throat, and Billy's whole body tensed. And just like that, he was back in fight or flight mode–a single noise and his peace was once again a battlefield. He looked up at Neil, his usual mask of boredness in place, yet still layered with caution as though looking for the trap he was undoubtedly going to step in.

Silence.

Neil raised an eyebrow and Billy sat down his fork, and his hands slipped into his lap. "Sir?" he asked. Max felt herself grip her own fork in frustration. They were all almost done with dinner–it was awkward as usual but at least it had been quiet and yet Neil couldn't just leave well enough alone. She'd never understand why he always had to have some kind of power trip when things were fine–like he wanted to remind them all who was in charge.

"You haven't been getting into trouble lately," He said with a sniff, shoveling the last mouthful in and staring Billy down like he was waiting for him to admit to having done something after all. When Billy just stared at him, he nodded and tossed his napkin onto the plate. "Seems that whipping you got some weeks ago was finally the ticket, huh Son?"

He leaned over and placed his hand on Billy's shoulder.

Billy flinched.

No one apart from Max seemed to notice.

Billy's jaw clenched and, just under the table, he gripped his fist so tight the knuckles turned white. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, or huffing in irritation. This was Neil trying to provoke him in some weird, twisted way, Max decided.

A smile spread across Neil's face as he gave Billy's shoulder a firm shake. It wasn't a friendly smile by any means, but a tight, unnatural one. Almost creepy. It was obvious he got some kind of satisfaction from the way he was reminding Billy that he was in charge. It was a threat really–one that said he was still watching and, if anything, waiting for Billy to screw up.

"A good whipping will always set you straight."

Max scoffed and rolled her eyes, focusing again on her plate. No longer all that hungry, she pushed around the last piece of broccoli, willing Neil to just leave the room already.

Neil turned to her, and his voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Something on your mind, Maxine?"

Max saw her mother look up from the corner of her eye, but she didn't look at her. Max wasn't sure if what she felt was bravery from being tired of his constant need to punish Billy, or foolishness for putting herself back under his microscope again after the way he'd been acting towards her all week, but she turned her nose up to him and gave him a shrug. "Nothing."

He ground his teeth together and gave Billy's shoulder another squeeze before turning to leave the kitchen. At the door, he turned and gave Max a last look. "Do the dishes."

Everyone watched Neil leave the room. And as always, everyone said nothing. Max stabbed at the broccoli and imagined it to be Neil's face. She knew she would likely pay for that with more of the same crap. He grew more snippy with her lately. If she even remotely interrupted a conversation, more like joining in, he'd make a remark about how she was being rude. When she'd done the dishes the other day, he came in and pointed at one of the plates saying, "Missed a spot. Should wash that again," and just walked away. She'd asked her mom to go to the arcade the next day and Neil just so happened to walk into the kitchen as she did and made a "tsk" sound before chiming in, "You spend too much time at that arcade, Maxine. Why don't you go do something with your mom instead?"

She decapitated her broccoli. Yeah, she was tired of Neil alright.

She looked over at Billy who had slumped significantly in his chair. Jaw clenched tight. He pushed his own food around now–seemingly losing his own appetite as well. So much for a quiet dinner.

Since then, with nothing else to do, Billy had been working out like crazy. One day as Max watched him, she felt kind of bad for him. No way he wasn't going stir-crazy. It seemed like he never really had time to go out and do something he really wanted to do, especially with the crazy bus times and his new curfew. Still, some days, Billy would disappear on weekends or in the evenings when her mom returned from work. Max didn't know what he did. She just assumed he'd go out with girls, some local party, or an errand Neil told him to do. Ever since the Snowball and their conversation in the car, he hadn't spoken much to her. Well, she'd been out of the house most days, but still.

Max thought about that night in the car. He'd talked more. Actually had a conversation with her with minimal yelling or insults. Maybe she could get him to talk some more again.

And that opportunity for another conversation soon came. Max had been in her room one morning when she heard the thump of Neil's boots before they stopped at Billy's door. Of course, he opened it without knocking, and she heard the low greeting of Billy acknowledging Neil. Whatever it was, it didn't seem to spark any anger.

"I need you to go down to Herman's Sporting Goods," Neil said. "My flashlights and boots are coming in, but I won't be there to pick them up." Neil would be at work as usual. Just like him to dump his errands onto Billy. Even worse since he was likely doing it to rub it in Billy's face that he didn't have a car to drive and would need to take the bus.

"Yes, Sir." Was Billy's only response, but she imagined he was wound tight with anger. He hated going out in the cold.

Of course, Max would have to tag along since she couldn't be left in the house by herself. On any normal day, she'd consider it so stupid, but this was her opportunity to talk more with Billy.

Eventually, it came time to leave. As always, Billy stood by the front door, annoyed and waiting for her. Max finally emerged from her room and met him in the foyer. He just looked at her, not saying anything. Just sighed. And out the door they went.

I bet he's still pissed about not having his car.

Billy held a scowl on his face the entire shivering walk to the bus station and even during the bus ride as they sat in the back. It was only when they reached the store that he started grumbling, "Why couldn't he just come to the store and buy the stupid things himself like a normal person? This would be so much easier if I had my car."

And there it is.

Max followed Billy to the counter. Behind it was a brunette girl with a small nose. Billy's scowl instantly disappeared.

"Excuse me," he said with a smile. "We're here for a pickup. Neil Hargrove."

"Sure. Let me check." The lady checked behind her on the shelves, but after a moment, turned back to Billy. "I'm sorry. That shipment isn't supposed to come in until later this afternoon. Maybe, an hour. Two at most? You can look around the store while you wait."

Max expected Billy to be irritated by that–maybe even huff and go on to pout about having to wait, but he didn't. Just shrugged and turned to walk away. She suspected he was fine with it since it kept him out of the house for just a little while longer. Something must have caught his eye because he smirked and left Max to head towards a woman standing on her tiptoes in one of the aisles. It took Max a second to figure out what Billy was doing, but it clicked when he reached above the woman to grab whatever she was aiming for. He handed her a canister of tennis balls with a smile.

"Need fresh balls to hit, do ya?"

The woman laughed, and her face turned slightly pink. She took the canister from Billy, and her fingers grazed his. Max held back a grimace and pretended to look at something on the shelf in front of her, but couldn't help but glance over at the two of them again.

"Oh, these are actually for my son. He's taking lessons."

"That right? You know, you look way too young to have a son playing a sport."

The woman laughed and gave him a playful shove. Max curled her lip in disgust, deciding she heard enough. She went around to the end of the aisle to wait for Billy so their voices were just out of range. Something about listening to him hit on the woman turned her stomach, and the way she just ate it up! If she only knew the real Billy, Max thought. He grinned at the woman, laughing at something she said. It was so fake, and loud that Max found it a little hard to believe that she couldn't see right through him. He was like a completely different person at that moment–wooing this woman when underneath he was still a dick. The kind to bash people's faces in–no respect for adults.

There was a certain smoothness though that Max couldn't deny with how easily he went into flirting with this woman. Like a regular practice of his to see if he'd be able to score or something. And in the sporting goods store of all places! She'd wished she had a way to show this woman the Billy that lurked just under the surface…Would she still spread her legs for him if she knew who he really was? Would any of the women or girls he chased do it if they saw him the way Max did?

He caught Max staring as he joined her finally, a ghost of a smile still on his lips. It quickly disappeared, likely at Max's raised brow. "What?" His voice went back to that irritated, gruff sound he always used with her.

"So you are capable of…kindness."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean…you went out of your way to get something from the top shelf for that woman. It was nice." Max shrugged. "Unless you were just doing it to hit on her, and not be nice at all?"

Billy scowled at Max's uncanny ability to just always have to comment on what he was doing at any given time. He'd never understand why she had to analyze and observe everything–especially when it came with a thousand questions after. Or worse, when she thought she had him figured out.

"Mind your business, Max," he grumbled.

"I was literally right there in the aisle with you. How could I mind my own business? If I had gone somewhere else, you'd say I was trying to run off," she snapped, but then breathed out and shook her head. Billy stomped ahead of her now, hands in his pockets and head down. Great, now he's annoyed again, she thought.

Billy didn't even bother browsing the store. She thought he would, or at least leave and go exploring what was around. But no. He just plopped down at the nearest seating area and waited. Max joined him. Maybe if she changed the subject, it would lighten the mood again–it was finally her chance to get him talking again.

"So…did you want to check out any weights or anything while we wait?"

He glanced at her and rolled his eyes. "No, Max."

"I mean you're always working out, so I figured you'd be into that sort of thing…"

He didn't say anything, and she kicked her feet. "Why do you work out so much anyway? Is it for all those women you try to pick up all the time?"

"Seriously, Max? Can't you sit in silence for more than thirty seconds?"

As they waited, she tapped her thighs. But when fifteen minutes passed, she finally spoke up again. "We could kill some time exploring around town. There are other shops around."

"Not this again," he grumbled. "Don't bother me right now. If you're bored, then go look around the store."

She didn't move. "Well how about the arcade then? I don't want to stay here doing nothing."

"I'm not going to a damn arcade, Max."

Max grumbled. "Fine. I'll just go by myself." She got up to leave, knowing he had to follow her to keep an eye on her. Billy snapped.

"Hey! You said you wouldn't do anything to try and provoke me, so stop provoking me."

She stopped, thought about her deal for a moment, then walked back and folded her arms as she plopped down in her chair. The nerve of him to even bring up the deal when he never even promised he'd follow it. She wanted to come with him in an attempt to make more conversation with him, but he didn't seem to be taking the bait at all. Maybe it was her subject matter that needed some work.

She watched the people in the store–men in the camping aisle, a couple looking at ski equipment. Then her eyes trailed to the basketball rack where a kid that looked her age tried to spin the ball on his finger. She got an idea.

"OK, last thing," she said, turning back to Billy. "How about basketball?" He groaned, but she continued. "Come on, there's a basketball court just down the street. We could just shoot around."

"One, I'm not playing basketball with you. Two, there's no way in hell I'm buying you a fucking basketball just to shoot around for 45 minutes. Or however long we're stuck here."

"But I thought you liked basketball…"

"Max," he partially whined, "I don't want to go. It's too damn cold out."

"Billy, come on…It would be better than sitting here doing nothing for two more hours!" She thought for a moment and smiled to herself. "What if I shovel the snow for you?"

He raised a brow at her, and she went on. "Seriously I will! You won't have to freeze while doing it, and I know how much you hate the cold. All you have to do is play basketball with me."

"Ugh, Max—"

"Look, I'm not provoking you right now even though I could be. Our deal was that you had to be nice to me," Max said, giving a small sniff. Come on, take the bait…

"How am I not being nice?!"

Did he not notice what he just said? Does this mean he was fully on board with the deal? Max kept from smiling. She wanted to laugh at the incredulous look on Billy's face. It was like he didn't realize that by agreeing to her deal, even if indirectly, he actually had to put in some kind of effort. The struggle written all over him was actually kind of funny. "Well…you refuse to have a conversation with me…you won't do anything if I'm the one asking you to do it…and you keep telling me to mind my own business!"

"Yeah, how is that mean?"

"Billy…just this once? Please! Think about it, do you really want to shovel that driveway? Would take much longer than a quick game…"

Billy stared at her for a moment, his jaw turning. He stood up with a dramatic sigh, placed his hands on his hips, and scoped out the crowd. Max was confused, but stood up too and tried to see what he was seeing. She felt the excitement bubbling in her chest. Was he actually going to give in?

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Trying to get a ball."

He scanned the large room, skipping over any male in sight with a uniform, looking for the right worker. Suddenly, his eyes landed on a girl that looked to be around Billy's age. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her square glasses hanging loosely on her nose. In an instant, Billy's frustrated frown traded for a flirtatious smile as he casually swaggered over to her.

"Hey…uh…you been working here for very long?" he asked, leaning against the wall.

She shrugged. "Oh, a few months…Why?"

"Ah, you just looked familiar. I think I might have been mistaken."

She chewed her lip and looked down with a hint of redness coloring her cheeks. "Well…my name is Darla…Does that ring any bells?" She reached up to tuck hair behind her ears, almost like she forgot it was pulled back.

Billy let out a chuckle. "Right, Darla! How could I forget!" he nudged her with his elbow. "So uh, Darla… My sister and I have been waiting here a bit since our order hasn't come in just yet. She's bored out of her mind over there. Do you think we could borrow one of the basketballs?"

The brunette hesitated. "I… don't think my boss would like that…" She paused, her eyes shifting in contemplation. "But… I don't think he'll mind if a sample ball is missing."

Billy smiled. "You'd really do that for us? Thank you. You're a lifesaver."

The lady left and promptly returned with a ball with "SAMPLE" written in black sharpie. She cautiously looked around before handing it to Billy, who made sure to brush her hands as he took it. "Thank you," he said again. "I'll be sure to bring it back."

The girl blushed. Max rolled her eyes. Gross.

As the two walked out the door, Max couldn't help but look at Billy as they headed to the court. In truth, she was kind of impressed. She never realized how good he was at reading people. He just plucked her from the crowd. Like he knew she'd cave in. Maybe whatever "magic" skill Billy had was how he was able to tell Max's truths from her lies. She just thought she was a bad liar. Ok maybe she just was, but she remembered that time Billy was able to pick up on her crush on Lucas, the time he saw right through her lie that she had been speaking to Mormons at the door. And now, he instantly knew who to swarm on to get what he wanted. She hated to admit it, but he was good.

"What are you staring at me for now?" Billy barked, rudely interrupting her train of thought. "If you're thinking about asking for another favor, you can forget it."

"How are you so good at reading people? It's like you knew who would give you the ball."

He raised a brow, not expecting that question. "Well if you had to come home to Neil every single day, and determine if a beating was waiting for you based on his mood…you'd be good at reading people too."

Max frowned, and her mind played the same words that have haunted her many times. Just because he hasn't punched you in the face yet… How many times had Billy been plagued with that feeling of twisted anticipation, wondering if his father would be waiting to tan his hide for whatever reason? She didn't want the conversation to be on this…to bring up the things neither of them wanted to talk about. So she tried to think of a way to steer it back in a good direction. She thought of what happened in the store–how Billy had flirted with not one, but two women as though it was the easiest thing in the world. She decided to ask.

"What about flirting?"

"What about flirting?"

"How did you even learn a skill like that?" Probably just a façade. No one is that good…right?

"Not really something you learn. You either have it or you don't."

"Seriously? You're telling me you didn't have to fail a few times before someone giggled at a ridiculous pickup line you said?" Max asked, scrunching her face in a mixture of disbelief but also slight disgust at the notion Billy was a natural flirt.

He snorted. "Please, anyone could fall for me. It's not like it's hard."

Max was struck by an idea, and she bit back a smile. "Okay then, how about I point out a stranger and you see if they succumb to your natural charms?"

Billy rolled his eyes–it was just like Max to come up with another stupid thing for him to do. Yet, there was a hidden challenge in her words. It felt like a dare had been issued, and that part of him that hated being wrong screamed at him to prove himself right. Not that he actually needed to prove himself to Max of all people. He told himself it was just to get her to shut up. He answered with a shrug and his usual bored expression.

After walking down the street of the suburban neighborhood a little further–not too far from the Basketball court, she pointed to a guy walking a dog on the opposite side of the street.

"Hell no. I'm not about to do a fucking faggot."

Max chuckled. "Do?"

"You know what I meant!"

"Fine."

She pointed to an older woman.

"No."

"Why? You had Mrs. Larson swooning over you. I thought that would be an easy one."

"Because I don't have to do what you tell me to."

"Then what about me?"

Billy's face scrunched like she had just spit in his face. "You?" He scoffed, "That's ridiculous. I'm not going to try that on you."

Billy turned away from her. He looked in the distance, wrinkling his nose when he saw a few skateboarders. "You know, I swear skateboarders are some of the most offhanded people, not caring if they break an arm or not. But I heard about them being resilient. So I guess it's really good for them. Like that one guy. What's his name? Sony Hawkins?"

"It's Tony Hawk."

"Tony Hawk?"

"Uh-huh."

"Wow. You must really know your pros."

"No, not really. I mean, I've seen some of them on TV from time to time. And I've read about others like Rodney Mullen. But that's about it–"

By the time she realized what he did, it was too late.

She turned to him, her mouth falling as it hit her all at once.

"Holy shit," she said. He is good.

Billy gave a smug smile and proud shrug as though it were nothing.

All that practice he does in the mirror must pay off.

A few minutes later they approached the perimeter of the green fence, the hoops just visible over the tops. It was quiet, and Max smiled to herself since it meant they wouldn't have to share the court with anyone else. Which was probably good so Billy wouldn't get irritated and make her leave sooner than she wanted. She tossed the ball, caught it, and pushed open the fence with her foot. Thankfully no snow was on the ground in the immediate area, so there wouldn't be anything ruining her dribble.

Billy leaned against the fence, one leg crossed in front of the other, and he pulled out a cigarette. He lit it and puffed out a long exhale of smoke and closed his eyes for a moment before sighing.

"You've got 30 minutes," he said, holding the cigarette in his mouth.

Max started dribbling and making casual shots, most of them missed. She was happy Billy was talking to her again, but she didn't want it to stop. She thought for a moment how she might rope him back in–but it had to be something that wouldn't piss him off. Or make him snap at her about minding her own business again.

She nervously twirled the ball in her hands when she asked, "Want to play HORSE?"

"Sure. I'm always down to play with some whores."

"Gross. I said, HORSE, not whores. Why are you boys always so horny all the time?"

Billy just smiled, trying to rile her nerves. "You'll understand when you're older."

She shivered at the thought, then gagged when it popped up again. "Do you want to play or not?"

"Not."

"Billy, come on. You came all the way over here. Besides, I offered to shovel the snow–IF you played with me."

"You shoveling snow one time? That's supposed to be a tempting offer?" He rolled his eyes. "Get real, Max."

"Okay, fine! What about two times, and you choose when I do it?"

"What's really in it for me, again?"

Max scowled at him, yet not all that surprised that Billy was determined to take more than she was offering. "I can always take my walkman back."

"Indian giver."

"Ugh! Shoveling snow three times? That's more than fair, Billy. Besides, it's just a quick game."

Max wasn't sure why she was bargaining so hard with Billy. It wasn't that she wanted to play all that much either, but she felt they had been breaking new ground recently. Things were…not nice exactly, but easier. They could be amicable. She wanted to keep things going–to have good moments with Billy again. So if that meant shoveling the snow a few times, then maybe it would be worth it. Yeah, she thought, I definitely won't regret this.

"Fine, but If I win, you also have to do whatever I say," he said, giving her a smirk that implied he would abuse that as much as possible.

She snorted, "No deal. Knowing you, you'd tell me to nose dive off a cliff."

Billy smacked his lips. "Buzz kill."

His cigarette hung in his mouth as he tucked his necklace under his shirt. Clearly, he was set on keeping it as he played. Max wanted to ask about the necklace's meaning since he never took it off, but something about it seemed too personal, and she could almost visualize him locking up on her before they even started playing. He motioned toward the hoop with an impatient wave of his hand and she shook her head with a smile.

Assuming he meant for Max to go first, she shot a free throw. Missed. As soon as she passed the ball, Billy paused only for a moment, then shot a 3, scoring with a satisfying swish. Max went to the spot he shot and attempted the same shot, but missed completely.

Billy put his hands around his mouth, leaned back, and yelled, "Aiiirrr baaaallll!"

Jerk.

"First turn, and you already have an H," he mocked.

She gave him the ball and the urge to spark another conversation hit her. She thought about what she could ask that would be light-hearted enough not to have him ignore her. He made another shot and missed, hissing out in irritation. Max lined up to make a shot.

"So, why do you like metal and rock music so much?" She aimed and tossed the ball, wincing as it went wide, which earned her an O. With a shrug she got the ball and passed it to Billy, waiting patiently for his answer.

"I don't know, Max. It's just music…" He made a corner shot, and it made a nice swish sound as it sunk. With a groan, Max attempted the same move and missed, leaving her with an R. Billy laughed out, "You suck at this!"

Feeling a little too confident, or maybe arrogant, Billy tried a one-handed shot and missed.

"Finally," Max said.

"I imagine your basketball skills are like your ability to know what flirting is. Nonexistent." Billy snided. "Even if I taught you my ways, you'd still suck."

"Yeah, all that practice you do talking and kissing yourself in the mirror must pay off."

Max turned and put her arms around herself and mimicked Billy with a fake deep voice. "Hey there hot stuff, bet I could sweep you off your feet with just one kiss…" She made dramatic kissing sounds but let out a yelp when the ball hit her in the back.

When she turned, Billy stared her down with a glare, but it wasn't the usual way that made her stomach sink. This one was laced with amusement–his lip quirked up a little like he was on the verge of actually smiling.

"Did I do that right?" she said. "Or do I need to add more tongue?"

The cigarette was halfway to his open mouth when he stopped and flicked it at her instead, making her jump before the little red cherry on the end stuck its landing.

"Hey!"

"Just hurry and take the damn shot."

Max was annoyed but slightly pleased she ruffled his feathers. His exasperated sigh was enough to make her want to push him just a little bit further, so she felt like a granny shot was just the exact thing needed to make those feathers fluff up a bit more, so to speak. He raised a brow as she got into position and the look only spurred her on as it basically said, Nah, you don't have a chance.

She swung the ball. It hit the backboard and landed to Billy's dismay. Seriously? he thought.

Max retrieved the ball and held it out to him. Billy was reluctant, but eventually, he stomped over and snagged the ball from her waiting hands. He looked around to make sure no one else was there to see him do it.

Max cackled when he squatted into position. "You look like a frog," she said. Billy shot her a death glare before shaking his head and turning back to the basket. His swing was too hard and the ball missed, hitting the backboard roughly before bouncing off, which earned another snicker from Max. "How did you miss that?"

"Shut up. It's not even proper technique."

"Proper technique? You don't even play sports besides PE. Can't really consider lifting weights while drinking a beer the best regimen can you?"

He scoffed and looked at her like she had grown another head. "I can play plenty of sports, not that it's any of your business."

"Yeah, like what?"

"I don't know…baseball for one–"

"You played baseball?!"

Billy looked at her. He didn't understand why she was so excited about that. But there she was, staring at him wide-eyed with a weird grin across her face. "Yeah…until Neil took all the fun out of it."

"I'd rather play baseball than volleyball," she said. "Mom always tried to put that sport on me. I hate volleyball."

She took the shot. Made it. Billy gave an indignant shrug but that turned into a shiver as a sharp wind blew past them. He rubbed his arms as though it would help and scowled. Stupid Max, he thought, dragging me out here when I'm just going to freeze my ass off. He couldn't wrap his head around this thing they were doing. Trading questions…well more like Max pelting him with questions until he was so annoyed, he'd answer so she'd move on. But even when he indulged her to try and make it stop, it seemed to make it continue. The last time he talked, he had hoped it would be enough to make her give him some space for a while, and now here he was half frozen playing HORSE.

"Why don't you get a winter coat?" Max asked, breaking him from his thoughts.

"I'd never be caught dead with a winter coat." And he meant it. He could say it was because he hated Hawkins, sure, but it was mostly just how ridiculous everyone looked with those puffers buttoned to their necks. Ain't no way he'd land a girl wearing one of those damn things. Besides, if he just could get Max, or Neil, from making him do shit outside when it was this cold, it wouldn't be a problem at all.

"But you'll be caught dead from hypothermia? Get over yourself."

She tossed him the ball.

Max thought for a moment about the fact that Billy did a lot of things differently than she did. Her mom hovered so much when she was sick. Never let her out of her sight and even missed work. Things like not wearing a coat wasn't something she'd ever let Max do. Billy didn't seem to have that experience. Neil always seemed to concern himself with the details that didn't matter. Looked for reasons to punish Billy instead of actually caring for him. It would explain why Billy just didn't consider most things. She couldn't stop herself from asking, "How was it…life with Neil alone?"

His eyes snapped to her and she held back a wince at his stormy expression. But just as quickly, it morphed into resigned acceptance. He let out a long, tired sigh. "Ever been belted out of your sleep before?"

Silence. Of course she hadn't. He knew that. She guessed that by asking it, he was trying to be less vulnerable. But he didn't yell at her or tell her to mind her own business. He'd actually answered, so she'd take it.

"Not fun," he murmured and took another shot. It sank with another swish and he immediately went to retrieve it. He kept his eyes off her, but his posture had gone a little stiff. The next question slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it.

"What's worse? Being punched or belted."

Utter shock morphed on his face and his jaw dropped a little. "Seriously? Why? Are you plotting my next downfall?"

"No! I wouldn't–"

His bored look stopped her. She'd done it before. Even now, he still didn't believe her? He held his glare before slowly turning away.

"Hit to the face is quicker," he said.

She's surprised he even responded that time. "But the bruises…"

"You worried about my looks now?"

The fact that they were even having this conversation. That he allowed her to. It made Max feel some type of way. Was he trusting her more? Or was it normal conversation? He spoke as though he's said it before, or told himself before.

"We're supposed to be playing HORSE, not 20 questions," he said and passed the ball hard, like she had before. She caught it before it actually made contact.

"I've hardly asked any questions. Besides, would playing in silence actually make this better somehow?" she said.

"Yeah, because then I wouldn't have to listen to the sound of your voice."

She sent him a sharp glare. "You know the only reason I made the deal from before was because you treat me like crap. I'd say I had it much worse than you. I hardly think being out in the cold and answering some questions compares to some of the things you've said to me…" Her voice trailed off as she thought back to the accident and what he'd said right before.

"Come on. What's the worst thing I've ever done to you?" Billy asked, his tone was dismissive and it made Max want to throw something at him.

"You told me to kill myself."

Her words shocked both of them. She had a book full of things he'd done, but somehow, that one rose to the surface immediately. Maybe now was the time to address it.

Billy froze and stared at her. He blinked a few times and then looked away. He sniffed and rubbed his nose before staring down at the ground. His hands went to his pockets. He seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"Do you still believe I should?"

Her voice came out softer than she'd intended, but it was laced with the worry that he might actually say yes. She wasn't sure what she'd do if he actually wanted her to kill herself. Surely he didn't hate her that much, right?

But I don't hate you.

Billy was silent. He churned his jaw. Opened his mouth to say something but didn't. "What do you think?" It was a genuine question, not mocking. Not sarcastic. He fixed his gaze on her and waited.

But I don't hate you. She thought about his words to her in the car on the way to the Snowball. "I don't know what I think."

Billy's shoulders slumped. He seemed disappointed by that as his expression fell just slightly. Then a flash of annoyance sprung up. "Seriously, Max? That was weeks ago. Let it go. Now hurry up and shoot the damn ball." He turned away from her and kicked at a rock. His hand went up to run through his hair and he let out another dramatic sigh.

Max stared down at the ball in her hands and could hear the way Billy shuffled on his feet in front of her. Why was he so dismissive of that question? Could he really not see why it was such a big deal to her? How much it actually hurt to think he might have been serious?

"Ugh, No. Ok? That make you feel better?" he suddenly said, as though reading her mind. "You really think I'd be out here watching your crappy shots if that's what I thought? Now can you just shoot the ball? Come on, take the damn shot."

Her mouth fell slightly, unsure what to say, what to feel. But she felt…lighter.

When Max didn't move, Billy cleared his throat. "Come on, Mad Max. Show me how it's done or I'll consider myself the winner right now."

Max threw a glare in his direction and her little sigh seemed to spur Billy to continue. "Here batter batter…"

She aimed, and at the moment she went to throw, Billy yelled, "SWING!" She missed and turned to tell him off for distracting her, but he silenced her with a victorious smirk.

Dick, she thought, but her lip quirked upward.

Billy took the ball and walked all the way to the side of the court. Max thought he was about to do another 3-pointer. That is until he started sprinting to the basket. He lept into the air, scissor kicked, and did a trick shot from under the leg and made it, pretending to dust his hands afterward.

There's no way, she thought.

Billy passed her the ball and gestured to the spot. She sighed, already accepting her fate as she took her position. With a huff, she ran to the basket and jumped. Her body twisted awkwardly, and the ball bounced off her leg as she failed miserably, her knees buckling under her as she landed and completely flopped. Billy bent over, then leaned back as he laughed at her, straight from the belly. It took all her strength not to chuck the ball at his head.

"You suck, Billy."

"Oh contraire."

He wiped a tear from his eye and took the ball. "Let's keep it simple then."

He shot a three-pointer, nothing but net. "Boom," he said, letting his hand linger high in the air for a moment before finally putting it down. "Hurry up and miss already so we can call it quits."

Steam raged through Max's nostril like a bull. She knew she couldn't shoot as far as Billy, but she'd be damned if she didn't give it her all. So, as soon as she took her position, she cocked her hand back and chucked the ball like a sling with all her might. But it went right over the headboard, right over the fence, and straight into someone's window with a CRASH.

Max stood there in a gasp. Shit. Billy would have a field day with this shot. She figured he'd have a smug look on his face, and make her apologize just to humiliate her or just double over in laughter. And she waited for it, but it never came.

She looked back. He was gone. Confused, she turned. Billy was already halfway across the court, out of the gate, hightailing it down the street.

"Haul ass, Max!"

She finally came to her senses and chased after him, just as she heard an older woman in the back yelling at them. Her heart leaped into her throat. Crap!

"You jerk," Max said when she got close enough for him to hear. She tried to suck in quick breaths and ignored the pinch in her side from running. "What about responsibility?"

"I am not the one responsible for this!"

Billy made a sharp turn, and she did her best to follow. He was in way better shape than she was, and she struggled to keep up. It was like every two steps she took, he took ten. Surprised he could even run fast in those jeans. Must have had a lot of practice.

She turned the corner and stopped, seeing Billy doubled over, his hands on his knees. Max tried to catch her breath, mimicking his actions before standing up again.

"Why'd you run?" she asked.

"You really think I won't take the blame for this?" He let out a rough breath. "Somehow I always get the short end of the stick when you fuck up, and I. Am. NOT. getting in trouble for this."

"You don't want to try and flirt your way out of this?

"Like hell I will." He pointed to her. "This didn't happen. This never happened."

"Agreed."

Billy nodded, finally seeming to catch his breath. But then slowly, his breaths grew choppy, and it took Max a moment to realize he started laughing. Her eyes widened, and she looked down at herself and then around to try and see what triggered him. When she found nothing, she crossed her arms and raised a brow.

"What's so funny?"

Billy stood up straight to catch his breath before falling into laughter again. "The way you chucked that ball…you didn't just miss the basket, you missed the entire board! Seriously, Max. You really do set the game's record for suckies."

She paused, but smiled. "I guess I do, huh."

They laughed, and suddenly she remembered that time back in California when they laughed like this over her first cigarette. She was happy she got to do it again.

When Billy's laugh finally settled, they headed back to the store. Billy nudged her with his elbow. "So this means I won, right? Which means you have to do whatever I say?"

"In your dreams."

He scoffed. But smiled. "Buzzkill."

To be continued…

A/N: I made a small mistake during the HORSE game. Please just ignore it :P